EPISODE 17

1127 Words
Weeks Later Adrian stepped into Noah’s apartment, dropping his bag by the door. The place smelled faintly of vanilla and fresh coffee—Noah’s way of making a home feel welcoming. Noah, already in a casual shirt and jeans, looked up from his laptop at the sound of Adrian entering. His face lit up in a warm smile. “Hey,” he said, closing the laptop and rising. “Hey,” Adrian replied, moving closer. “I didn’t want to wait until tomorrow to see you.” Noah caught Adrian’s hands in his own and pulled him into a gentle hug. “I’m glad you didn’t. I’ve been thinking about you all day.” Adrian rested his head against Noah’s chest. “Same here. Even during meetings, I couldn’t stop thinking about tonight.” They pulled back slightly, smiling at each other. Noah brushed a strand of hair from Adrian’s face. “So, what’s the plan? Dinner? Or are we staying in and letting the world wait for a while?” Adrian grinned. “I vote for us staying in. I brought some ingredients—we could cook together. You know, teamwork, like we do at work, but tastier.” Noah laughed, shaking his head. “Only you could make cooking sound like a strategy meeting.” They moved into the kitchen, chopping vegetables and preparing a simple pasta. Between playful glances and soft touches, the atmosphere was light and intimate. Adrian leaned over to taste the sauce and Noah caught his hand. “Careful, you might burn yourself,” he teased. “Or maybe I’m trying to distract you,” Adrian countered, smirking. “No chance,” Noah said, pressing a quick kiss to Adrian’s cheek. “You’ve got my full attention.” Dinner was simple but perfect. They ate at the small dining table, laughing about the little mistakes in cooking and talking about their days. Adrian shared a funny story about a design mishap at Eden Global, and Noah recounted a hectic day of scheduling and interviews. After dinner, they moved to the sofa, settling in with mugs of tea. Adrian rested his head on Noah’s shoulder, fingers intertwined. “You know,” Adrian murmured, “I love how we can still have this… no matter how busy our lives get.” Noah kissed the top of Adrian’s head. “That’s because we make it a priority. Work is important, but so are we. And I’ll always make time for you.” They spent the evening wrapped around each other—soft kisses, whispered “I love you’s,” gentle teasing, and sharing plans for the next day. Between cuddles, they even went over some work notes, laughing when Adrian suggested a creative tweak for one of Noah’s upcoming interviews. As the night deepened, they moved to the bedroom, but the moment wasn’t rushed. They took their time, holding each other close, whispering about dreams, hopes, and the little things they loved about one another. Every touch was tender, every kiss meaningful, showing that love for them wasn’t just passion—it was care, trust, and companionship. Finally, tangled in each other’s arms, Adrian whispered, “I feel so lucky, Noah.” Noah tightened his hold around Adrian. “Lucky doesn’t even begin to cover it. We’ve got love, trust… and we’ve got each other. That’s everything.” And with that, they drifted into sleep, hearts full, knowing that they could balance love, life, and work—and make it all feel effortless when they were together. --- Chen Wei & Liang Chen: Balancing Love and Passion The late afternoon sunlight spilled through the blinds of Chen Wei’s apartment. Papers from his day were neatly stacked on the desk, but Chen barely glanced at them, his attention caught by the notification lighting up his phone. “Just finished rehearsal. Heading to you. Can’t wait. – Liang” Chen smiled, typing back quickly: “Hurry! Dinner’s ready. I’ve been waiting.” Meanwhile, across town, Liang packed up his guitar and sheet music after a long rehearsal. Music had been his life, but Chen waiting for him made the exhaustion feel like nothing. By the time he arrived, Chen was in the kitchen, pretending to check the stove but really just watching for him. “Finally,” Chen teased, leaning casually against the counter. “I was starting to think your guitar was going to be faster than you.” Liang smirked, setting down his guitar case and leaning in to kiss Chen softly. “You know me. Dramatic entrances are my specialty.” Chen laughed. “You’d better not be tired. Dinner’s ready, and I swear I didn’t burn it tonight.” They ate together, sharing stories of their day. Chen talked about meetings and projects, while Liang animatedly recounted his rehearsal, how he’d tried a new riff, and how the band nearly messed up a tricky part. Chen laughed, loving how passionate Liang was about his music. After dinner, they moved to the living room. Liang pulled out his guitar, strumming a soft melody while Chen sat beside him, scrolling through emails on his tablet. Even in the middle of work, they found a rhythm together—quiet touches, shared smiles, and soft laughter blending with the music. “You know,” Chen murmured, leaning his head on Liang’s shoulder, “I love how we can be like this, even when life’s crazy.” Liang looked down at him, eyes soft. “Me too. I used to think music or love… I had to choose. But with you, I don’t have to. I get both.” Liang began to play a familiar song—the one Chen loved most. Chen rested his head on Liang’s chest, fingers brushing Liang’s hand on the strings. They didn’t need words; the music and closeness said it all. “I love you, Chen,” Liang whispered, his voice low against the quiet hum of the city outside. “I love you too, Liang. More than I can ever say,” Chen replied, tightening his hold. Later, as the night settled, they relaxed fully. Chen’s head stayed on Liang’s chest while Liang ran gentle fingers through his hair, the guitar resting nearby. “Promise me something?” Chen murmured. “Anything,” Liang answered. “Promise we’ll always make time for nights like this… no matter how busy we get.” Liang pressed a soft kiss to Chen’s temple. “I promise. Always. Music, life, love—we’ll have it all, together.” And there, amidst unfinished work and lingering melodies, Chen and Liang found their perfect balance—love, passion, and life coexisting, each moment together a reminder that they could pursue their dreams without losing each other.
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